LTTs 2nd Thunderbolt e-GPU planning

[steffen_anywhere]

In a few months I will be moving back to Germany. I will also soon be done with secondary school. I've been interested in external GPUs for laptops some time and my main machine happens to be a late 2013 13" Retina MBP. So I've been thinking about getting this:

- ASUS Strix GTX 960

- Akitio Thunderbolt PCIE Box

- Corsair CX 430

I will buy these parts in a few months. I also know that e-GPUs are a bit of a niche market and that's why not many people here will be able to help. I know that @Firearm2112 has a 980 running with his MacBook Pro so if you were so kind, could you verify that this is in fact the Thunderbolt enclosure you used as well as any other tips...

Thanks

[C0LL0SS0S]

Why a 960 ?

[NeatSquidYT]

Why a 960 ?

Agreed.

[Firearm2112]

Hey man! Hows it going! Long time no see.

 

That is the Thunderbolt enclosure I used, just make sure its the thunderbolt 2 model. 

 

I also recommend an eGPU jumper, as well as installing windows natively instead of bootcamp. this isnt nessesary but it makes things easier. I didnt do this because I couldnt get it to work. Bootcamp should be fine for now.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions

[steffen_anywhere]

Why a 960 ?

Because it's powerful enough for my needs and Nvidia works better due to Optimus technology. Price point is ok too...

What would you recommend?

[C0LL0SS0S]

Because it's powerful enough for my needs and Nvidia works better due to Optimus technology. Price point is ok too...

What would you recommend?

I see, I was just thinking about the r9 280x since its cheaper and also a bit stronger but if NVIDIA offers better support go for it

[steffen_anywhere]

Hey man! Hows it going! Long time no see.

That is the Thunderbolt enclosure I used, just make sure its the thunderbolt 2 model.

I also recommend an eGPU jumper, as well as installing windows natively instead of bootcamp. this isnt nessesary but it makes things easier. I didnt do this because I couldnt get it to work. Bootcamp should be fine for now.

Let me know if you have any other questions

I remember the GPT Disk Windows struggle...it's annoying but doable...I'll look into it when I have everything else.

Jumper makes sense.

[steffen_anywhere]

I see, I was just thinking about the r9 280x since its cheaper and also a bit stronger but if NVIDIA offers better support go for it

Nvidia does offer better 'support'...just because desktop GPUs coincidentally work with Optimus meaning you can get an image on the built-in display.

[steffen_anywhere]

Also, @Firearm2112 did you ever try getting it to run in OSX?

CUDA for Adobe would be nice

[Firearm2112]

Also, @Firearm2112 did you ever try getting it to run in OSX?

CUDA for Adobe would be nice

I did get it too boot once but many things werent working right. I would recommend using windows. CUDA for adobe works in windows. I use it alot

[SIGSEGV]

Also, @Firearm2112 did you ever try getting it to run in OSX?

CUDA for Adobe would be nice

I suggest looking into some hackintosh kexts to get OSX to run the graphics card properly (if you're running Yosemie you'll want to enable the use of unsigned kexts first though). Here's a link to a place with nVidia kexts: http://www.hackintoshosx.com/files/category/6-nvidia/?sort_order=DESC&sort_key=file_submitted&num=10

[steffen_anywhere]

I suggest looking into some hackintosh kexts to get OSX to run the graphics card properly (if you're running Yosemie you'll want to enable the use of unsigned kexts first though). Here's a link to a place with nVidia kexts: http://www.hackintoshosx.com/files/category/6-nvidia/?sort_order=DESC&sort_key=file_submitted&num=10

 

Thanks, this is a good tip!